Building Connections with Technology: Meet Terry (DSP Tech Awards Finalist)
SimplyHome is pleased to announce our winners of the 2019 DSP Tech Awards! Today, in Part 1 of this series, we get to meet one of our finalists, Terry Miller. Congratulations, Terry!
Direct Support Professionals play a crucial role in support services, especially when it comes to integrating enabling technology in a person-centered way. Terry was recommended for the DSP Tech Awards by Nick Filarelli, Program Director at Core Services of Northeast Tennessee.
As a DSP, Terry (left) has been able to encourage James (at right) to use technology to communicate and to feel more secure on unfamiliar terrain.
James uses his iPad to communicate with staff and friends.
In his nomination, Nick gave examples of Terry’s dedication as a DSP:
“One individual, James, had spent his entire life in segregated settings. He was very distrusting of people and new situations, and as a result, he was isolated. James had received an iPad for communication through an SLP evaluation, but unfortunately, it mostly went unused for a long time. James did not form close relationships or express his wants or needs. That is, until Terry began working with James one year ago.
Through painstaking patience and dedication, Terry has used the iPad as a tool to open up a whole new world for James. James has used the tool to make new friends, join social groups, and even participate in a job interview. He has been successfully working at the grocery store for almost a year now. Terry works with James to program new phrases and items into his communicate app: jokes, greetings, and more.
When taken to new places, James used to refuse to exit the car. Terry set about gaining James’s trust by being completely patient, kind, and persistent. He took James to Dollywood four times before ever coaxing him through the gates (150 miles round trip). While observing James in new situations, Terry speculated that having something to hang onto would make James feel more secure. He borrowed a walker and discovered that with the security of the walker, James would go almost anywhere. The combination of this innovative solution to James’s fears and his newly found ability to communicate has changed James’s life dramatically.” (by Nick Filarelli)
James used his iPad to participate in his interview process and has been working at the local grocery store for almost a year.
James crosses a bridge over a stream on one of his outdoor adventures.
After learning that he had received the finalist award, Terry also wrote to us, reflecting on his work as a DSP:
“Working for Core Services for over 19 years with people with intellectual disabilities has challenged my idea of what communication is, and how I understand what they are trying to communicate.
One of the people I work with does not communicate with words but has an amazing way of communicating his needs. When I first started working with James, staff did everything for him. Because James did not use words to communicate, people assumed he was unable to do anything for himself. When James first came to live in his current home, I was working the night shift. One morning I was sitting at the table watching James as he ate. I noticed James was mirroring everything I did. I looked at James and said, ‘You are very intelligent.’ James nodded his head yes. I realized James was capable of so much more than people gave him credit for, but he had not been given the opportunity to learn for himself.
Working the night shift, I didn’t have much time to spend with James, but I decided to learn all I could about him so I could help him be more independent. During this time, James and I established a rapport. We communicated every morning over breakfast. Several months later, I was called to the office. The management team asked me if I was willing to work with James once a week.
I begin to work with James each Monday. When James would get in the car, he would not put on his seat belt, because staff had always done this for him. I asked James, “Do you know how to put on your seat belt?” and James nodded his head yes. I said, “When I ask you, ‘What did you forget to do?’ Then I would like for you to put on your seat belt.” James now puts on his own seat belt without assistance.
James now has a tablet that has been programmed for his communication preferences and helps him communicate better with others. The staff working with James asks him where he would like to go shopping, what food and restaurants to eat at he would like, how he is feeling, and what activities he would like to do. By using this enabling technology, James is learning to make choices for himself. I feel good about James’s progress because I facilitated this change, and it has opened many new opportunities for James.
Through dedication and patience, James has achieved major strides in expressing himself. He has not only gained the ability to communicate, to say hello, to make friends, to greet others, to tell staff and friends his wants and needs, but he has also begun making eye contact, smiling, and shaking people’s hands.”
Access to communication tools has enabled James to connect to a wider world of friends and experiences.
Being able to express himself has really changed James’s life. Terry continues:
“In the past, James would never get out of a car upon arriving at an event. Now he visits Dollywood and the Biltmore House and has gone on vacation to Myrtle Beach, Washington, D.C., Orlando, Banner Elk (NC), and other places here in Tennessee. He has gone camping overnight with friends. James has developed a network of non-paid natural supports in his life since gaining this invaluable ability to express himself. James’s new communication skills and confidence also allowed him to communicate that he wanted a job and enabled him to get through the interview process at a local grocery store.
Two years ago, if someone spoke to James, he would look down and not maintain eye contact. Everyone is amazed when they see James today. He looks people in the eye and answers questions with a nod of his head. In the past, a lot of false assumptions were made about James’s ability and receptive language skills. Changing how we communicate with James has allowed James’s unique personality and intelligence to shine through!” (by Terry Miller)
SimplyHome is honored to recognize the outstanding work of Terry Miller. We love sharing these real-life stories of how technology can create new opportunities for independence. Congratulations, Terry, on being one of our finalists in the DSP Tech Awards!
SimplyHome currently serves as an enabling technology and education provider with Tennessee DIDD’s Enabling Technology pilot program. The staff at Core Services of Northeast Tennessee have demonstrated amazing leadership in this pilot program.
Ready to explore enabling technology for yourself? Take our Virtual Tour or visit one of TN DIDD’s Enabling Technology Model Homes.